PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Pennsylvania TANF provides temporary cash assistance to needy families to help cover basic living expenses such as food, shelter, and utilities. In Pennsylvania, a family of three is considered “needy” if its countable income is below $403 per month.

As a condition of eligibility, cash assistance recipients must complete and sign an agreement to participate in work activities that will lead to employment.

How much cash assistance will I get in PA?

Pennsylvania has different benefit levels based on geographic location. The benefit levels listed here are for Group 2, which includes Philadelphia County, the county with the most TANF participants.

For example, a family of 4 in Philadelphia PA with little or no income may receive up to $497 in cash benefits each month.

How do I apply for cash assistance in PA?

You can apply for TANF online through COMPASS  or by completing and submitting an application to your local County Assistance Office (CAO).

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Customer Service Center
(877) 395-8930

Pennsylvania Diversion Program

Pennsylvania Diversion is a way for families to choose short-term help rather than long-term ongoing cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

It provides a one-time lump sum payment once in a 12-month period dependent upon your need, with the maximum payment set at three (3) times the Family Size Allowance. ¹ That’s about $1,209 for a family of three.

How much do I get for the diversion program in PA?

How do I apply for diversion program in PA?

For a short-term, non-recurrent, cash payment, you may apply for Diversion Assistance by completing an online application through COMPASS .

Upon successful submission, a face-to-face interview will be arranged to determine your eligibility.

Pennsylvania Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Pennsylvania SNAP helps low income individuals and families obtain more nutritious diets and eat healthier by supplementing their monthly food budget.

Benefits range from a minimum of $298 per household member to a maximum of $785 for a family of three but may vary based on household’s size and net income.

What is the household income for SNAP benefits in PA?

In Pennsylvania, eligibility is limited to households with gross income of up to 200% of the poverty level or about $4,442 per month for a family of three.

If you are eligible, you will receive a Pennsylvania EBT ACCESS Card which can be used to make food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets.

Can single mothers in Philadelphia receive both TANF and SNAP?

Yes. Single mothers in Philadelphia, PA can receive both TANF and SNAP benefits at the same time, as long as they meet each program’s income, household, and eligibility requirements.

Receiving TANF does not automatically disqualify a single mother from SNAP. In fact, many low-income single-parent households in Philadelphia qualify for both programs simultaneously, especially those with children and limited earned income.

How do I apply for SNAP benefits in PA?

You can apply for SNAP online through COMPASS , Pennsylvania’s benefits application portal, or in person at your local County Assistance Office (CAO).

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Customer Service Center
(877) 395-8930

Pennsylvania SUN Bucks

SUN Bucks, Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program, is a new grocery benefits program that provides households with a one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child to buy food during the summer months when school is not in session.

Many children will get these benefits automatically, but some households will need to apply. The benefits will be added to an existing SNAP/TANF EBT card or a newly issued Summer EBT card.

Use the Eligibility Navigator  to determine if your child is eligible for SUN Bucks and whether you need to apply.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Customer Service Center
(877) 395-8930

Pennsylvania Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Pennsylvania WIC is a federally funded program that provides healthy supplemental foods and nutrition services for eligible pregnant women, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children under age five who meet the income guidelines.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for WIC:

1. Live in Pennsylvania.
2. Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old.
3. Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit.
4. Have a nutritional need or risk.

What is the income limit for WIC in Pennsylvania?

To be eligible for WIC, you must have a gross household income not exceeding 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. That’s about $4,109 a month for a family of three.

How do I apply for WIC in Pennsylvania?

WIC Agencies provide services in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. You may call (800) 942-9467 to be connected to a WIC office in your county.

Pennsylvania Medical Assistance

Pennsylvania Medical Assistance, also known as Medicaid, provides health coverage to Pennsylvania residents who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

Unlike private health insurance, there are no monthly premiums, though small copayments may apply for certain services , such as prescription drugs or specific doctor visits.

What is the income limit Medicaid in PA?

Pennsylvania opted to implement the Medicaid expansion in 2014. As a result, Medicaid now covers nearly all uninsured Pennsylvanians age 19—64, including children age between 6—18, with income up to 138% of poverty level.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Pennsylvania?

You can apply for or renew your Medical Assistance online by using COMPASS  or apply by telephone by calling the Consumer Service Center at (800) 692-7462.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
COMPASS Customer Service / Medicaid Assistance
(800) 692-7462

Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance Program

Pennsylvania CHIP provides health coverage to uninsured children up to age 19 whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private coverage.

Most families are eligible to receive CHIP at no cost. Families with incomes above the free CHIP limits will pay low monthly premiums  and co-pays for some services.

Low-cost CHIP has premiums ranging from $60 to $96 per month and copays ranging from $5 per service to $25 for emergency room visit.

American Indian and Alaska Native children are excluded from any premium, enrollment fee, copayment, coinsurance, or deductible in CHIP.

What is the maximum income to qualify for CHIP in PA?

In Pennsylvania, children with family income up to 319% of poverty or about $7,084 a month for a family of three are eligible for CHIP.

How do I apply for CHIP in PA?

You can apply for CHIP online through COMPASS  or call the CHIP helpline and select prompt No. 2, then select prompt No. 1 for application assistance.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Pennsylvania CHIP Helpline
(800) 986-5437

Pennsylvania Family Planning Services Program

Pennsylvania’s Family Planning Services Program (formerly SelectPlan for Women) is a limited Medicaid program that provides free and confidential reproductive health care to eligible individuals ages 18 to 44.

Covered services include birth control at no cost, Pap tests, STD testing and treatment, and other family planning services. Coverage is fully free, with no premiums or copays.

What is the income limit for SelectPlan for Women in PA?

To qualify, you must be a Pennsylvania resident with income not exceeding 215% of the poverty level and have no private insurance or Medicaid.

You can apply online with COMPASS , or apply in person at any County Assistance Office or COMPASS Community Partner, including family planning clinics near you.

Pennsylvania Family Planning Services Program
Provider Service Center
(800) 537-8862

Pennsylvania Child Care Works

Subsidized child care in Pennsylvania is provided through the Child Care Works  program that helps lower-income families pay their child care fees.

Since it is a subsidy, most families are required to pay a percentage of cost of child care in the form of a copayment — known as the family co-pay, on a sliding fee basis.

As a condition of eligibility, parents are required to work at least 20 hours a week or work at least 10 hours a week AND participate in an approved training program at least another 10 hours a week.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Pennsylvania?

Most families with incomes up to 200% of federal poverty level or about $4,442 a month for a family of three, qualify for child care subsidy.

The income limits for families of different sizes are listed in the chart below.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Pennsylvania?

To apply for child care assistance in Pennsylvania, you must submit an application through your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC ). ²

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Child Care Works Helpline
(877) 472-5437

Pennsylvania Head Start

Pennsylvania Head Start promotes school readiness for children in low-income families between the ages of 3 and 5. It does this by providing comprehensive educational, health, nutritional, and social services that prepare them for school and life.

Families who are 100% of the federal poverty level are eligible to apply. The pre-school program may be offered as center-based or home-based services — and is free.

What is the income limit for Head Start in Pennsylvania?

A family is eligible for the Head Start program if its household income is at or below the federal poverty level. That’s about $2,221 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for Head Start in PA?

You may apply for Head Start or Early Head Start services through your local Head Start grantee. Use the Head Start Provider Locator  to find the program in your community.

Pennsylvania Housing Choice Voucher Program

The HCV wait list is currently closed in Pennsylvania. Applicants may check their status online  or by calling (215) 684-4300.

Pennsylvania’s Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, provides housing vouchers to low income families and individuals to find a housing unit of their choice in the public housing market.

Families who are income eligible often need to pay up to 40% of their rent and utilities while PHA cover the difference between the amount paid by families and the market rent for the unit.

In general, PHA pays monthly rent directly to the owners or landlords of the units. The tenants do not receive any of the money paid for rental subsidy.

How long is the waitlist for housing assistance in Philadelphia?

The waitlist for housing assistance in Philadelphia can be several years long, depending on the program and current availability. Waitlists are often open only for limited periods due to high demand.

Since openings can be brief and competitive, you should contact PHA directly or visit a local housing assistance office to ask about current waitlist status and upcoming openings.

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA)
(215) 684-4000

PHLHousing Plus

Launched in late 2022 as a guaranteed income experiment, PHLHousing+  is a direct-to-tenant, cash-based rental assistance pilot program in Philadelphia.

Unlike traditional Section 8 vouchers where funds go to landlords, PHLHousing+ provides money directly to tenants via prepaid debit cards.

Participation is by invitation-only. Participants in the PHLHousing+ pilot program were randomly selected from the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s (PHA) waitlists.

To be eligible, invited households must earn no more than 50% of Area Median Income at the time of enrollment and have a child under age 15.

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA)
(215) 684-4000

Pennsylvania Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Pennsylvania LIHEAP helps low-income families pay their heating bills. This one-time payment is sent directly to your utility company or fuel provider, and it will be credited on your bill.

The table below shows the minimum and maximum LIHEAP assistance amounts available to eligible households in Pennsylvania.

Households experiencing a heating crisis, such as a utility shutoff, may be eligible for additional benefits through the LIHEAP crisis program, up to a total maximum benefit of $1,000.

What is the income limit for LIHEAP in PA?

The income limit for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania is 150% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that’s about $3,331 per month to qualify.

How do I apply for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania?

Applications for LIHEAP are now available online through COMPASS  starting on December 3, 2025 and remain open until April 4, 2026.

If you need help paying your heating bills, or have a heating emergency, please contact the LIHEAP hotline or County Assistance Office (CAO).

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Statewide LIHEAP Hotline
(866) 857-7095

Pennsylvania Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

NOTICE: Funding is no longer available for LIHWAP. Households may not receive LIHWAP benefits at this time.

Pennsylvania LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program designed to help low-income households and families who need help with water bills or who may lose water service.

Households who are at or below 150% of the poverty level are eligible for a one-time credit up to $5,000 applied to their water utilities account. Priority will be given to households that have been disconnected or are at risk of being disconnected.

LIHWAP covers renters, homeowners and those who already receive utility assistance through LIHEAP as long they meet income requirements.

What is the income limit for LIHWAP in Pennsylvania?

How can I get help with my water bill in Pennsylvania?

If you are in danger of falling behind on your water bills, you may apply online through COMPASS  or in person at a local County Assistance Office.

Pennsylvania Unemployment Insurance

Pennsylvania Unemployment Insurance is a state-operated insurance program designed to partially replace lost wages when you are out of work through no fault of your own.

To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period ’ and must have, prior to filing a claim:

1. earned at least $116 per week during at least 18 weeks in the base period, and
2. earned at least $1,688 during the highest quarter in your base period, and
3. earned at least $3,391 in total wages during the base period.

How much do I get a week for PA unemployment?

The current maximum unemployment benefit rate in Pennsylvania is capped at $605 a week and an additional $5 per week for the first dependent and $3 per week for each additional child.

How do I file for unemployment in PA online?

You can file your initial claim electronically  or if you wish to file your claim over the phone, please call the statewide toll-free number at (888) 313-7284.

If you are eligible for benefits, you should receive your first benefit payment within four weeks after the effective date of your application.

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Office of Unemployment Compensation
(888) 313-7284

Pennsylvania State Grant Program

Pennsylvania State Grant Program is a state-funded financial aid program that provides funding to eligible Pennsylvanians who demonstrate high financial need to attend college.

Award amounts vary each year based on financial need, tuition costs, and available funding. For the current academic year, the maximum annual award is $5,750.

To be considered for a Pennsylvania State Grant, you must file your FAFSA no later than May 1 each year, and complete the PA State Grant Form if you are applying for the first time.

Students attending summer courses may apply for the award for the summer term. The deadline is August 15. Due to limited funding, late applications will not be considered.

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
Financial Aid Office
(800) 443-0646

Pennsylvania Parent Pathways Initiative

Pennsylvania Parent Pathways Initiative provides grants specifically to support parenting students with scholarships, emergency aid, childcare, housing, and other essential services.

Many campuses also offer on-campus childcare, transportation assistance, and dedicated “parent navigators” to help students balance academic responsibilities with parenting.

Eligibility and applications are handled through participating colleges or universities that have been awarded a Parent Pathways grant.

Students must first complete the FAFSA and first use all other available gift aid, before the grants may be used to cover remaining costs of attendance.

For additional information about the initiative, call
Pennsylvania Department of Education
(717) 783-6788

Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC)

The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC) is a new state-level tax credit  modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

To be eligible for the WPTC, you must:

1. Be residents of Pennsylvania.
2. Have earned income from wages, salary, or self-employment.
3. File both federal (Form 1040) and Pennsylvania state (PA-40) tax returns.
4. Qualify for the federal EITC.

How much is the PA tax credit?

The state credit is set at 10% of the federal credit. If a family qualifies for a $2,000 federal EITC, they can claim an additional $200 on their state income tax bill.

To claim, file both your federal Form 1040 and PA-40 state tax return. You can file your PA-40 for free on myPATH , the Department of Revenue’s online filing system for state taxes.